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Bangladesh's leader has demanded an apology from UK anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq for allegedly residing in London homes connected to his predecessor's government.
As Bangladesh's leader Muhammad Yunus demanded a probe into the properties to ascertain whether they were obtained by "plain robbery," Sir Keir Starmer was confronted with new demands from the Conservatives on Saturday to remove Ms. Siddiq as a minister.
After learning that she was under investigation by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Ms. Siddiq, whose aunt Sheikh Hasina oversaw a more authoritarian administration in her country for 15 years until its abrupt collapse in August, reported herself to the UK government's ethics watchdog last week.
In her letter to standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, Ms Siddiq said she was âclear that I have done nothing wrongâ and alleged that much of the recent reporting had been inaccurate. Sir Keir later said Ms Siddiq had âacted entirely properlyâ in referring herself to Sir Laurie and that he had âconfidence in herâ.
Her self-referral came after the Sunday Times and Financial Times reported she had lived in properties linked to her auntâs regime â one in Hampstead allegedly given to her teenage sister, and another in Kingâs Cross allegedly given to her by an associate of members of Bangladeshâs Awami League party.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Yunus â an 84-year-old Nobel Prize-winner who has vowed to stand down once elections are called by mid-2026 â warned that Ms Siddiqâs property should âabsolutelyâ be investigated by the ACC.
Calling on her to apologise, while acknowledging that it was not for him to say whether she should resign, Mr Yunus said: âShe becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Maybe you didnât realise it, but now you realise it.
âYou say: âSorry, I didnât know it [at] that time, I seek forgiveness from the people that I did this and I resign.â Sheâs not saying that. Sheâs defending herself.â
Referring to a recent Bangladeshi report alleging that the elite had funnelled billions of pounds a year out of the country, with some funds used to buy assets including property, Mr Yunus said: âThey pointed out how money is stolen, but itâs not stealing â when you steal, you hide it. Itâs a robbery.â
Asked whether that could apply to properties used by members of Sheikh Hasinaâs family in London, he said: âAbsolutely, itâs about plain robbery. Nothing else. If a UK parliament member is involved, definitely itâs a big issue.â
Asked specifically what should happen to the properties used or owned by the Siddiq family, Mr Yunus said: âOur whole idea and movement and what our pledges, commitments, that we made [is that] weâll bring them to justice.â
Ms Siddiqâs aunt was deposed in August last year following an uprising against her leadership, and fled to India. The former prime minister is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh, with Ms Siddiq reportedly named as part of the case.
Sheikh Hasina was alleged to have been involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of cash are said to have been embezzled.
Following Mr Yusufâs remarks, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: âItâs time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
âHe appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption. Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.â
The Tory leader said Ms Siddiq, who is Sir Keirâs constituency neighbour in North London, had become âa distraction, adding: âThe prime minister tried to make a big deal of his commitment to standards and integrity. His weak leadership on Siddiq suggests he is not as bothered by integrity as he claims.â
Ms Siddiq, who is reportedly yet to be contacted by the ACC, said in her letter to Sir Laurie: âIn recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my familyâs links to the former government of Bangladesh.
âI am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters. I will obviously ensure you have all the information you need to do this.â
Ms Siddiq pulled out of accompanying the chancellor on her trip to China this weekend in order to be available to help Sir Laurie with his investigation.
